Malaysia’s woes entered a new level now, tonight getting absolutely HAMMERED for the second time in two games losing to Uzbekistan 5-0. Sloppy defense by the home team meant that by half time, the Uzbeks had raced out to a 3-0 lead, and the game was over. Two goals late in the second half were just pouring salt on the Malaysian wounds. Malaysia have one more chance, against Iran, to try & salvage some pride.

The other game tonight finished with Saudi Arabia 2 – Indonesia 1 (apologies, I do not have access to more information, but I will update as it becomes available!)…

Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia – In what could only be considered an upset, Indonesia has beaten FIFA’s 2004 most improved nation, Bahrain 2-1.

Playing quite aggressive ball in the first half, Indonesia scored at the 14th minute mark, Budi Sudarsono sliding it into the net. Not to be outdone, Bahrain managed to score 13 minutes later. From that point on the game devolved a bit, whilst I think the Indonesian team had the better of the play, some foolish errors (and cards) left me thinking “not yet another 1-1 draw”. But the Indonesian attack picked up, and Bambang Pamungkas slotted one home at the 64th min. Bahrain made a few choice substitutions to pressure the local defense, but it wasn’t to be. The siren rang a little after 90 minutes of game play, and Indonesia run out winners over a disappointing Bahrain.

A balmy night in My Dinh National Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City… and certainly not the result the current Asia Cup holders (Japan) were looking for, but after a 2nd half strike by Naohiro Takahara, Qatar came back and equalised with a late goal by the Uruguayan-born Sebastián Quintana. And that was that… a fantastic result for Qatar, and a result that will ensure the Japanese daily papers are aflutter tomorrow.

So with 4 games down, that’s 3 1-1 draws (Thailand vs Iraq, Australia vs Oman, Japan vs Qatar). All three could be considered ‘upsets’ of a sort, as Iraq, Australia & Japan are all considered ‘Asian Powers’ in the footballing fraternity, and especially the Australian team (who only just lost to eventual winners Italy in last year’s World Cup), and Japan, who currently hold the Asian Cup title.

The only team to have actually won a game thus far is Vietnam, who defeated the more-highly-touted UAE, 2-0.